Throughout history, nurses have demonstrated the ability to inspire, influence, and improve patient care. Nowhere is this more evident than in Magnet(R) organizations, where clinical nurses do amazing work. Steeped in an environment of evidence-based practice and research, they are able to explore the safest and best practices for their patients and their hospitals. The Magnet culture inspires them with the vision, influence, knowledge, and innovative approaches to create new ideas, share them with colleagues, and advance the practice of professional nursing. American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC's) National Magnet Nurse of the Year(R) Awards recognize this outstanding work. Each year, 5 nurses are selected to receive this award, which honors the outstanding contributions of clinical nurses to innovation, consultation, leadership, and professional risk taking. Awards are presented in each of the 5 Magnet Model components: transformational leadership; structural empowerment; exemplary professional practice; new knowledge, innovations, and improvements; and empirical outcomes. The 2019 award winners were recognized at the ANCC National Magnet Conference in Orlando.
Transformational Leadership
Melissa Fadipe, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, is a nurse practitioner at Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston and the recipient of the transformational leadership award. Fadipe leads multiple initiatives to improve care quality, effectiveness, and safety for veterans living with epilepsy. Her innovative "You Are Not Alone" program has helped remove the stigma associated with epilepsy, improved understanding of the disease process, reduced emergency visits for nonepileptic seizures, and improved veterans' quality of life. At the Epilepsy Center of Excellence, she developed evidence-based care modules to guide her fellow nurses. Fadipe continues to share her expertise with Veterans Health Administration colleagues around the country, partnering with nurses, physicians, and clinicians to standardize epilepsy care and nursing practice.
Structural Empowerment
Carol Schober-Flores, BSN, RN, CWS, DAPWCA. Schober-Flores is a clinical wound specialist at the Children's Hospital Colorado in Aurora and was recognized for her work in structural empowerment. Her groundbreaking work in the care of children with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) has improved wound healing outcomes for patients around the world. EB is a rare genetic disorder that causes fragile, blistering skin and requires lifelong, complex treatment. Schober-Flores developed and disseminated standards of practice that have transformed the delivery of safe and effective care and continues to educate and advocate for better products and treatment methodologies. She considers herself just one small part of an incredible team of healthcare providers who share her passion and credits the Magnet environment with encouraging bedside nurses to improve outcomes through evidence-based research.
Exemplary Professional Practice
Stephani Stancil, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC, is the recipient of the exemplary professional practice award. Dr Stancil is a nurse practitioner at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, where she serves as the sole provider in an innovative clinic that cares for disadvantaged teens. She integrates research, evidence-based practice, and novel strategies to influence care delivery of adolescent medicine and promote health and wellness with a holistic approach. Through her collaborative work with clinical pharmacology, Dr Stancil led the implementation of pharmacogenomic testing in adolescent medicine, expanding clinical information to guide selection of the most effective treatments and improve patient outcomes. "As I've grown as a nurse, I've felt the power of Magnet principles and the support of my Magnet organization behind me," she says. "It's encouraged me to go farther, fly higher, break down barriers, and shatter glass ceilings."
New Knowledge, Innovations, and Improvements
Christa Bedford-Mu, MSN, CNS, RN, CCRN, received the award in the category of new knowledge, innovation, and improvement. A neonatal clinical nurse specialist at UC Davis Children's Hospital in Sacramento, Christa Bedford-Mu uses innovative telehealth interventions to support families in rural and underserved communities. She educates parents of complex infants in the neonatal ICU (NICU), partners with rural pediatricians and health centers to ensure follow-up care, and leads the "video visit" program, providing families with impactful telemedicine services after NICU-to-home discharge. This intensive communication has improved outcomes for NICU families, including earlier discharge, reduced readmission rates, and higher parental and provider satisfaction. Bedford-Mu says nursing in a Magnet facility is all about "sharing real human moments with patients, families, or colleagues, and knowing you can make a real difference."
Empirical Outcomes
Kristen Boettcher, BSN, RN, CCRN. Boettcher is an ICU nurse at UC Health Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado, and was recognized in the category of empirical outcomes. Ms Boettcher developed standardized processes to dramatically improve care of marginalized patients going through alcohol withdrawal. In collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of physicians, pharmacists, and clinical nurse specialists, Boettcher created uniform treatment protocols that resulted in earlier patient transfer from the ICU, lower intubation rates, and a 40% decline in mortality. Her groundbreaking protocol is now being adopted across the entire UC Health system. "The Magnet culture has given me a chance to advance as a bedside clinician," says Boettcher, who credits the support and guidance of her managers for her success.
Helping Clinical Nurses Excel
Clinical nurses in Magnet organizations are flexible, have a can-do attitude, see the big picture, identify needed change, and motivate others to follow. They are the movers and shakers of tomorrow. "Working in a Magnet institution has provided me with opportunities to excel and evolve as a leader," says Melissa Fadipe. "I'm thankful to be able to empower other nurses to do the same."